the story about the new york police officer who bought shoes, boots for the man on the street generated a lot of attention. if you want to help someone on the street, what is the best way to do it? >> the best way to help the homeless is to make a donation now to gifts for the homeless by going to our website. we use 100% of every dollar donates to buy new clothing and blankets for 70 area shelters in the washington area including central mission. >> how many homeless do you estimate are on the streets here in washington? >> the figures i have seen vary from 12,000 to 13,000 in the washington area. over the course of the year, around 4,000 on a given night. >> if you buy them a pair of shoes, you don't help? >> you are meeting immediate need. we like to introduce ourselves to that person through the shoes and then begin to hold an approach to meet all of their needs, clothing, food, housing. then later on, job opportunities or training for a job. >> you have said and we know the economy impacted donations, you think the election impacted -- >> this is my third presidential election. we